Bath Vent Roof Cap

ABSTRACT

A multi-piece vent cap assembly includes a bottom housing and a top housing which can be removeably engaged to the bottom housing. The bottom housing includes a flange and a vertical shaft, which defines an air passage for mounting over an exhaust pipe of a building. The top housing includes a cover and a connection ring. The connection ring is configured for removable engagement to the shaft of the bottom housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Residential homes, apartment buildings, commercial office buildings or buildings in general have bathrooms, kitchen or building air exchangers or fans to exhaust air to the outside of the structure or building. Sometimes, this air is exhausted through the roof. A pipe or tubing (i.e. an exhaust pipe) is run through the structure to the underside of the roof sheathing. The exhaust pipe intersects with or exits the roof through a hole (i.e. a vent hole) cut in the roof sheathing. On the exterior side of the roof sheathing a ventilation cap is secured to the roof over the vent hole so as to allow exhaust to flow through and out of the exhaust pipe while ideally protecting the pipe and immediately adjacent area of the roof with protection from the weather.

A variety of roof caps of the type described above are readily available for use. A standard bath, kitchen or exhaust air roof cap employees a square or unitary box design, with small flanges wherein the roof cap is molded or assembled into a one-piece unit 100 such as in the example shown in PRIOR ART FIG. 1.

Known “single piece” roof vent caps, such as cap 100 may in fact be manufactured from multiple components or parts, but even when constructed in this manner the resulting cap is typically sold as a single piece assembly that is not capable of being readily taken apart without damage to the assembly and/or without significant effort. While such caps are fairly inexpensive to produce, their effective single piece construction results in a product that makes visual alignment of the cap with an exhaust pipe 102 and/or vent hole 104 on a wall or roof 110 of a building 112 impossible. As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 the cover 106 of the roof cap 100 inherently blocks an installer's ability to see the position of the exhaust pipe 102 over which the cap 100 is to be placed.

Imprecise positioning of the cap 100 over the pipe 102 and/or hole 104 may result in back drafts, improper venting, as well as the potential build up of humidity, condensation and mold.

Thus a need exists for a ventilation roof cap which provides improved assembly, improved alignment with the vent opening, and improved securement to the exhaust pipe; so as to improve ventilation and prevent the unwanted build up of moisture around the roof cap and adjacent areas of the roof.

In some circumstances it is desirable to inspect exhaust pipes and their openings to make certain they are not occluded or have been damaged over time. Once attached to the roof of a structure however, a one-piece vent style cap cannot be readily removed nor the exhaust pipe accessed for inspection or maintenance. In order to remove such a cap, the surrounding roofing materials (e.g. shingles, tiles, sheathing, etc.) must be loosed and/or removed as well so that the cap can be pried off of the roof sheathing to expose the exhaust pipe below. Such removal of the cap is time consuming, may damage the surrounding roof and necessitate total replacement of the cap and/or adjacent roofing material.

Thus, an additional need exists to provide a roof cap that allows easier access to the underling exhaust pipe without causing damage to the adjacent roofing materials or to the cap itself.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein provide a roof cap assembly which provides for improved alignment with the vent hole and exhaust pipe as well as providing a mechanism which allows for the ready access and inspection of the exhaust pipe without having to filly remove the roof cap from the roof sheathing.

The roof cap assembly described herein provides a variety of unique improvements over existing roof cap models. For example, unlike existing single piece roof caps, the roof cap assembly of the present disclosure has multiple components, including a top housing that can be detached and reattached from a bottom housing. The multi-piece configuration allows for accurate placement of the bottom housing over the existing vent hole and/or exhaust pipe. Once the bottom housing is properly installed, the top housing is secured to the bottom housing to provide a completed roof cap assembly. At any time following installation of the assembly, the top housing may be readily removed from the bottom housing to allow for inspection of the exhaust pipe, vent hole and/or adjacent areas of the roof without the need to replace the assembly.

These and other embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein and are illustrated in the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

PRIOR ART FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known roof vent cap.

FIG. 2 depicts an area of a structure's roof with vent holes and exhaust pipes shown prior to installation of a roof cap or cover.

FIG. 3 depicts the same roof area shown in FIG. 2 but with the roof vent cap of PRIOR ART FIG. 1 installed over one vent hole and exhaust pipe.

FIG. 4 depicts the same roof area shown in FIG. 2 but with a bottom housing of the present invention installed over one vent hole and exhaust pipe.

FIG. 5 depicts the same roof area as in FIG. 4 with a top housing engaged to the bottom housing of the complete roof vent cap.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom-up perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 4-6 embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a multi-piece roof cap assembly 10 having at least two primary components, namely a bottom housing 20 and a top housing 40.

The bottom housing or base 20 is of a single piece construction of molded plastic or metal. The bottom housing 20 includes a water shedding flange 22 and a vent housing shaft 24 extending upward from the flange 22.

In at least one embodiment the shaft 24 is substantially cylindrical in shape, (e.g. the shaft 24 has circular cross-sectional shape as is best seen in FIG. 4). The cylindrical shape of the shaft 24 provides the bottom housing 20 with improved ability to shed water (rain and other precipitation) around the shaft 24. In some embodiments, the shaft 24 may have any cross-sectional shape as may be desired (e.g. polygonal, elliptical, etc).

Shaft 24 defines an angle 26 with the flange 22. In at least one embodiment the angle may be approximately 90 degrees. In some embodiments the angle may range from about 80 to about 100 degrees on any particular side of the shaft 24 relative to the flange 22.

In some embodiments, shaft 24 defines a connection lumen or passage 28 into which a connector 30 is positioned. In at least one embodiment the passage 28 includes a nesting ring or lip 29 which a collar 31 of the connector 30 rests or engages.

In some embodiments, the connector 30 is provided with a tapered shape, such that the diameter of the connector tapers from a larger diameter near the collar 31 and a narrower diameter at its bottom 32. In at least one embodiment, the bottom 32 of the connector 30 is sized to engage a portion of the exhaust pipe 102 (see FIG. 4) that extends upward from the roof 110 and into the base housing 20. The engagement of the connector 30 and exhaust pipe 102 creates a complete exhaust air connection from the pipe 102 and/or vent hole 104 (see FIG. 4) through the bottom housing passage 28 and through an air flow cavity 50 of the the top housing 40 such as is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

In some embodiments, such as where an exhaust pipe 102 is not present or does not extend past the roof line upon which the base housing 20 is positioned, the connector 30 need not be utilized.

Turning now to the components of the top housing 40, such as depicted in FIG. 6; in some embodiments the the top housing 40 is comprised of a cover 42, a damper 44, a rodent screen 46 and a top housing connection ring 48.

Beginning with the cover 42, in some embodiments, cover 42 is a hollow dome or other symmetrical shape which is configured to prevent precipitation or particulates from entering the passage 28 of base shaft 24 and exhaust pipe 102 (exhaust pipe is visible in FIG. 4). The shape of the cover 42 also provides the cap 10 with an aerodynamic profile so that the cap 10 is resistant to the effects of wind and to blend in visually with the profile of the roof and structure to which the cap is mounted (see FIG. 5).

As mentioned above, and shown in FIG. 7, the cover 42 defines an interior space or air flow cavity 50 through which air can flow into the shaft passage 28. The cover 42 is engaged to a top housing connection ring 48, which in turn is connected to the shaft 24 of the bottom housing 20 to allow air to flow between exhaust pipe 102 and the environment outside of the cover 42. In some embodiments, an example of which is shown in FIG. 7 the cover 42 includes interior protrusions or tabs 58 into which the body 49 of the connection ring 48 is pushed into and around such that the tabs 58 at least partially overlap the connection ring 58 thereby mechanically engaging the cover 42 to the connection ring 48.

To ensure that precipitation, even wind driven precipitation, does not enter the passage 28 (as well as the exhaust pipe 102 and/or vent hole 104 shown in FIG. 4) the top housing connection ring 48 has a damper 44 pivotally engaged thereto such as in the manner shown in FIG. 6.

The damper 44 is designed to prevent backdrafts of air down the shaft 24 of the bottom housing 20 and into the exhaust pipe 102 (see FIG. 4). When for example, the cap 10 is positioned to cover a bathroom exhaust pipe (such as pipe 102) when the bathroom fan (not shown) is turned on, air vented up through the exhaust pipe 102 causes the damper 44 to pivot up into the interior space 50 of the cover 42 thereby allowing the vented air to escape through the cover 42. When the bathroom fan (not shown) is powered off, gravity allows the damper 44 to fall back into the top housing connection ring 48.

In some embodiments the damper 44 is sized and shaped to match the profile of the top housing connection ring 48 and/or the connector 30 such as in the manner shown in FIG. 6. This complementary shape insures a good seal between the damper 44 and connection ring 48 when the damper 44 is at rest thereon (i.e. bathroom fan is in the “off” position described above). In some embodiments the damper 44 has a bowl shape to aid in preventing the damper 44 from pivoting up do to high wind blowing against the cover 42.

In some embodiments the top housing 40 includes a rodent or pest screen 46. Screen 46 is sized and shaped to friction fit or otherwise engage the interior 52 of the cover 42 and thereby prevent rodents, birds or other potential animal interlopers from entering the cap 10. As is shown in FIG. 7, in some embodiments the screen 46 mechanically engages an engagement channel 54 with a “snap fit”. Where the cap 10 is used as a dryer vent cover, the screen 46 is configured for ease of removal so that the clearing of lint may be done by hand and without the need for tools.

As may be seen in FIG. 6, the various components of the cap 10 may be removeably secured together by any of a variety of mechanical or friction interfaces. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 the top housing connection ring 48 defines openings or slots 56 which engage protrusions or tabs 58 on the exterior surface 60 of the bottom housing shaft 24. In some embodiments mechanisms such as fasteners (ties, screws, nuts and bolts, etc.) may be used to secure the components described above together in order to assemble the cap 10.

Embodiments of the disclosure have been described above and a shown in the various figures. Embodiments are also described by the following numbered paragraphs.

Paragraph 1. A multi-piece vent cap assembly comprises a bottom housing and a top housing. The bottom housing has a flange and a shaft extending upward from the flange. The shaft defines an air flow passage that extends vertically through the shaft. The bottom housing is configured to be mounted over an exhaust pipe of a building. The top housing has a cover and a connection ring. The cover is configured to mechanically engage the connection ring. The cover defines an air flow cavity. The connection ring is configured to be removeably engaged to the shaft of the bottom housing.

Paragraph 2. The assembly of paragraph 1 further comprises a connector. The connector is configured for insertion into the shaft airflow passage. The connector is configured to connect to the exhaust pipe of the building.

Paragraph 3. The assembly of paragraphs 2 wherein the shaft defines a lip within the air flow passage and the connector comprises a collar. The collar is constructed and arranged to engage the lip when the connector is inserted into the air flow passage.

Paragraph 4. The assembly of paragraph 3 wherein the connector has a bottom and a diameter. The diameter of the connector is greater at the collar than at the bottom of the connector.

Paragraph 5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the diameter of the connector tapers from a greater diameter at the collar to a smaller diameter at the bottom.

Paragraph 6. The assembly of any of paragraphs 1-5 wherein the top housing further comprises a damper. The damper is configured to be pivotally engaged to the connection ring. The damper is sized to cover the air flow passage of the shaft.

Paragraph 7. The assembly of any of paragraphs 1-6 wherein the top housing further comprises a pest screen. The pest screen is configured to mechanically engage a surface of the cover within the air flow cavity.

Paragraph 8. The assembly of any of paragraphs 1-7 wherein the connection ring of the top housing defines a plurality of slots and the shaft of the bottom housing comprises a plurality of tabs. Each slot is configured to receive and frictionally engage a tab.

Paragraph 9. The assembly of any of paragraphs 1-8 wherein the the cover has a dome shape.

Paragraph 10. A multi-piece vent cap assembly comprises several components including a bottom housing, a top housing and a connector. The bottom housing has a flange and a shaft extending upward from the flange. The shaft defines an air flow passage that extends vertically through the shaft. The bottom housing is configured to be mounted over an exhaust pipe of a building. The top housing has a cover, a connection ring, a damper and a pest screen. The cover is mechanically engaged to the connection ring. The cover defines an air flow cavity. The connection ring is removeably engaged to the shaft of the bottom housing. The damper is pivotally engaged to the connection ring and sized to cover the air flow passage. The pest screen is mechanically engaged to a surface of the cover within the air flow cavity. The connector is positioned within the air flow passage of the shaft and is configured to connect to the exhaust pipe of the building.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the above description. Numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Since such modifications are possible, the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described. Rather, the present invention should be limited only by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-piece vent cap assembly comprising: a bottom housing, the bottom housing having a flange and a shaft extending upward from the flange, the shaft defining an air flow passage that extends vertically through the shaft, the bottom housing configured to be mounted over an exhaust pipe of a building; a top housing, the top housing having a cover and a connection ring, the cover configured to mechanically engage the connection ring, the cover defining an air flow cavity, the connection ring configured to be removeably engaged to the shaft of the bottom housing.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a connector, the connector configured for insertion into the shaft airflow passage, the connector configured to connect to the exhaust pipe of the building.
 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the shaft defines a lip within the air flow passage and the connector comprises a collar, the collar constructed and arranged to engage the lip when the connector is inserted into the air flow passage.
 4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the connector has a bottom and a diameter, the diameter of the connector being greater at the collar than at the bottom of the connector.
 5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the diameter of the connector tapers from a greater diameter at the collar to a smaller diameter at the bottom.
 6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the top housing further comprises a damper, the damper configured to be pivotally engaged to the connection ring, the damper sized to cover the air flow passage of the shaft.
 7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the top housing further comprises a pest screen, the pest screen configured to mechanically engage a surface of the cover within the air flow cavity.
 8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the connection ring of the top housing defines a plurality of slots and the shaft of the bottom housing comprises a plurality of tabs, each slot is configured to receive and frictionally engage a tab.
 9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover has a dome shape.
 10. A multi-piece vent cap assembly comprising: a bottom housing having a flange and a shaft extending upward from the flange, the shaft defining an air flow passage that extends vertically through the shaft, the bottom housing configured to be mounted over an exhaust pipe of a building; a top housing, the top housing having a cover, a connection ring, a damper, and a pest screen, the cover being mechanically engaged to the connection ring, the cover defining an air flow cavity, the connection ring being removeably engaged to the shaft of the bottom housing, the damper being pivotally engaged to the connection ring and sized to cover the air flow passage, the pest screen being mechanically engaged to a surface of the cover within the air flow cavity; and a connector, the connector positioned within the air flow passage of the shaft, the connector configured to connect to the exhaust pipe of the building. 